Building Sustainability Index for NSW homes

A web-based planning tool designed to assess the potential performance of new homes against a range of sustainability indices is now part of the development approval process in NSW.

From July 2004, NSW leads the Australian states in promoting sustainable residential development by requiring a Building Sustainability Index (BASIX) Certificate with proposals to build homes.

BASIX aims to:

• reduce the environmental impact of new developments on landscape, stormwater, water, thermal comfort and energy
• produce homes that are more comfortable and cheaper to run than most existing homes.

The introduction of BASIX into the development approval process reflects the commitment of the NSW Government to water and energy conservation.

The first stage of BASIX focuses on reducing Water and Energy use. BASIX has set targets for these indices which all new development must meet.

Landscape, Stormwater and Thermal Comfort indices are also activated because information relating to these indices impacts on water consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

BASIX mandatory for development approval

From 1 July 2004, BASIX will be a mandatory component of the development approval process in NSW under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, through the Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Building Sustainability Index: BASIX) Regulation 2004 and State Environmental Planning Policy (Building Sustainability Index: BASIX).

Applications for certain residential development proposals which require development consent must be accompanied by a BASIX Certificate before they can be assessed and approved.

BASIX is an initiative of the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources and has been developed in consultation with the building industry, local government, other state agencies and utilities. Expert advice and technical information have been provided by the Department of Commerce, Department of Energy, Utilities and Sustainability, Department of Environment and Conservation, Agility, EnergyAustralia, Integral Energy and Sydney Water.

Follow this link for more information on the Building Sustainability Index (opens in a new browser window)

For further information

Contact	:	BASIX, Sustainability Unit, NSW Department of Planning
Address	:	23-33 Bridge Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Phone	:	1300 650 908
Fax	:	02 9228 6544
Email	:	help@basix.nsw.gov.au